St. Norbert Overcomes Slow Start to Top Finlandia

HANCOCK, Mich. - St. Norbert College overcame a sluggish start and claimed a 4-1 win over Finlandia University in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association matchup at Houghton County Arena. It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

St. Norbert (3-0, 3-0 NCHA), ranked No. 1 by D3hockey.com and No. 2 by USCHO.com, outshot the Lions 9-6 in the first 20 minutes but settled for a 0-0 tie.

The Green Knights scored first for the first time on the young season with an unassisted goal by Michael Hill at the 6:59 mark, his second marker of the season. Joe Perry then scored twice 33 seconds apart late in the second period to give St. Norbert some breathing room. Perry scored a power-play goal at 16:50 with Reid Campbell and Tyler Zepeda assisting, then scored unassisted at 17:23.

Finlandia (0-3, 0-1) scored with 18 seconds left in the second period when Scott Vargas put home a loose puck in front of the net.

Sam Higgins gave St. Norbert a 4-1 lead when he scored at 16:51 of the third period, with Marian Fiala and Mason Baptista assisting.

St. Norbert outshot Finlandia 28-20. Tony Kujava made 19 saves for the Green Knights in his first collegiate start. Troy Chandler made 24 stops for Finlandia.